Magnetic Behaviour of Mn(12)-Stearate Single-Molecule Magnets Immobilized on the Surface of 300 nm Spherical Silica Nanoparticles

The magnetic behaviour of Mn [Formula: see text]-stearate single-molecule magnets (SMMs) ([[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]) on the surface of 300 nm spherical silica nanoparticles were investigated. The SMMs were bonded at the silica surface with the assumed number of anchoring points, which influenced on their degree of freedom and distribution. In order to check the properties of Mn [Formula: see text]-stearate molecules separated on the silica surface, and check their interactions, the samples containing four different concentration of spacers per single anchoring unit and variously bonded Mn [Formula: see text]-stearate particles were prepared. The materials have been examined using Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. The results of magnetic measurements showed a correlation between the way of single-molecule magnets immobilization onto the silica spheres and the magnetic properties of the obtained hybrid materials.